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Iowa Democrats Begin Push To Keep Iowa's Caucuses First

(Des Moines, IA) -- The Iowa Democratic Party has submitted a letter of intent to the Democratic National Committee to keep the Iowa Caucuses first in the nation. It's the first step in a formal application process. The next step is a formal application to the D-N-C's Rules and Bylaws Committee, which will happen next month. That same committee voted last month to strip Iowa of it's coveted first-in-the-nation status. The panel adopted a plan requiring all the early states to apply for a waiver to hold their nominating contests before the rest of the country.

“Iowa has a critical role to play in our Presidential nominating calendar. We are a small state and we provide the perfect opportunity for Democrats to rebuild their national brand within rural communities” said Chair Ross Wilburn.That’s why it’s critical that Iowa continues to have a voice in the Presidential nominating process so that candidates can meaningfully connect with a grassroots infrastructure that includes working families and a diversifying rural America.”

"It's no secret the party has been losing seats because of a weakened appeal to rural Americans. We can't afford to lose this group of Americans, and Iowans," said Wilburn.

“The Iowa Caucuses have a long and proud tradition as an important early contest in the presidential nominating process, and we will point out the ways in which Iowa brings unique and necessary attributes to the presidential nominating process.” said Scott Brennan, Iowa’s representative on the DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee. 

One issue raised by the DNC has been concerns about a lack of diversity in Iowa's population. "They've listed diversity, but they have not talked about what type of diversity, that's a pretty broad category. If their focus is racial diversity, there wouldn't be President Obama, without Iowa," said Wilburn.

Wilburn also notes he plans to remind the DNC that Iowa law requires the state to hold a Caucus no later than the 4th Monday in February. A change to that would require a change in Iowa law.

The Republican National Committee has voted to continue Iowa's first-in-the-nation status.


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